Nordic Seminar on the Arctic Climate How to put SLCP policies into practice

Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, SLCPs, such as black carbon or soot, methane and tropospheric ozone have negative effects on climate, air quality, human health and agricultural production. The Swedish government therefore promotes efforts both nationally and internationally to intensify work to mitigate SLCPs as a complement to the efforts on reaching a global agreement to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide and other long-lived greenhouse gases.

The Arctic has been warming more than twice as fast as the global average during the 20th century. This has been accompanied by rapid reduction in sea ice coverage and thickness and loss of permafrost. This has prompted work in science to improve our understanding of the importance of SLCPs for Arctic climate as well as work on developing policies for SLCP emission reductions by the Arctic nations.

The purpose of the seminar is bringing together policy makers, researchers, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and other interested parties to discuss the importance of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants for Arctic Climate.

17th April  9:30 am - 3 pm

Rosenbad KonferenscenterDrottninggatan 1Stockholm

Registration via e-mail to

nif@nordicwelfare.org

no later than 13th April 2015

The seminar is arranged by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, SMHI, SCLC, Swedish Clean air and Climate Research Program and The Nordic Region in Focus - Sweden

PROGRAMME

09.30-10.00 Registration and coffee

10.00-10.20 Welcome and introductury notes Ambassador Krister Bringéus

Introduction to Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, Joakim Langner, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)

10.20-11.40 New scientific knowledge about SLCPs in the Arctic and mitigation options

Methane and black carbon (soot) observations in the Arctic

Henrik Skov, Aarhus University

Results from the Artic Monitoring Assessment Program (AMAP) expert groups on black carbon (soot), ozone and methane

Terje Berntsen, Center for International Climate and Environmental Research – Oslo (CICERO)

Impact of historic European emission reductions of black carbon (soot) and sulfur dioxide on Arctic climate – Ilona Riipinen, Stockholm University

Emissions and mitigation options for SLCPs in the Nordic Countries Karin Kindbom, Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL)

11.40-12.00 Panel with morning speakers Moderated by Jan Olsson, Ambassador for Environment, Swedish Ministry of the Environment and Energy

12.00-13.00 Lunch

13.00-13.45 Scientific basis and need for policies on SLCPs The road to Paris and beyond: Role of short lived climate

pollutants in reaching the climate goals.

Åsa Romson, Environment Minister, Sweden

Towards an Agreement on emission reductions on black carbon and methane in the Arctic nations, Jon Kahn, Director, Ministry of the Environment and Energy

13.45-14.30 Panel with Nordic policy makers: How to put SLCPs policies into practice Moderated by ambassador Jan Olsson

14.30 End of seminar